The following is a quick overview of my current work background. I will excitedly add and reflect on my practicum experiences as they are completed.
EXPERIENCE
Hazelton Secondary School, Laxyips Gitxsan – grade 8-12 French Immersion Teacher & School Counsellor
2023 – ongoing
- Connected with students and classroom routines based on the needs and interests of the class to create a classroom community.
- Built relationships with students and families founded in trust to improve capacity for learning and growth.
- Developed curriculum plans that incorporate multiple grades and skill levels in a classroom setting and prioritises Indigenous knowledge.
Haisla Community School, Xa’isla Territory – Grade 4/5 Teacher
2022-2023
- Formed relationships with students to ensure success of learning.
- Developed and adapted lesson plans as needed to meet varying needs of students.
- Built ongoing relationships with colleagues in resource and Haisla language to improve the learning progress of students.
Coast Mountain School District 82 & Haisla Community School, Xa’isla Territory – TTOC
2021 – 2022
- Formed connections with students to ensure success of learning in the absence of the regular classroom teacher
- Adapted and added to lesson plans as needed based on the needs of the students present on a given day.
- Built ongoing relationships with students in frequently visited classrooms to improve their ability to learn when I join them in their space.
Kildala Elementary School, Xa’isla Territory – All Practicums
2021-2023
- Designed and executed lesson plans founded in research based, culturally informed, and inquiry focused principles for a variety of elementary level subject areas to meet BC curriculum outcomes.
- Differentiated instruction as required while working to create lessons founded in principles of universal design so that all students could meaningfully participate in lessons while furthering their individual learning.
- Formed positive relationships with the students and designed lessons with the intention of helping them to engage in place based and self-driven learning.
Vancouver Island Health Authority, W̱SÁNEĆ Territory – Child and Youth Counsellor
2019 – 2021
- Provided evidence based intervention to children and youth in an inpatient psychiatric setting in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team.
- Utilised a trauma-informed, research-based, and culturally centered approach to counselling.
Burnside Gorge Community Association, Lək̓ʷəŋən Territory – Child Care Coordinator
2020-2021
- Coordinated a team of three managers and over twenty frontline staff to provide childcare to a diverse population of families with children ages 5-12 during a global pandemic.
- Developed inclusion plans for children with disabilities and neurodiverse children to facilitate effective and sustainable participation in literacy, STEM, physical literacy, and SEL.
Foundry, Lək̓ʷəŋən Territory – Outreach Counsellor
2019 – 2020
- Provided counselling, lifeskills, and resource navigation to youth experiencing multiple barriers to care. These services were provided individually and in group workshops for youth served as well as for parents and service providers.
- Worked in close collaboration with community organisations to offer wrap-around care to youth served including mental health, substance use, housing, cultural resources, and education.
Anika Youth Services, Kwantlen, Katzie, and Semiahmoo Territory – Youth Support Worker
2018-2019
- Supported youth in care ages 13-18 who were experiencing complex mental health and trauma concerns.
- Provided frontline crisis response for emotional, behavioural, and medical emergencies and long term pursuit of goals regarding physical, social, educational, medical, and spiritual wellbeing.
Halifax Recreation, Mi’kma’ki – Inclusion Specialist
2016-2017
- Provided one-to-one or small group support to youth aged five to seventeen with disabilities and alternative needs in a recreation setting.
- Supported recreation leaders in designing and adjusting programs to meet the needs of all clients.
Halifax Regional School Board, Mi’kma’ki – Education Assistant
2014-2017
- Provided support to students aged five to seventeen with disabilities and alternative needs in a classroom or learning center environment.
- Supported teachers and learning center specialists in developing and modifying lessons and IEPs to fit the needs of students served.
Long and McQuade & International Musicland, Mi’kma’ki and Algonquin Territory – Piano Teacher
2011-2018
- Developed lessons and implemented music lesson plans and instructional techniques for students ages 5 and older in individual and group sessions.
- Adapted lessons to the needs of each individual student, including autistic students, students with adhd, and students with learning disabilities, to ensure a sense of success and self-efficacy.
EDUCATION
Vancouver Island University, Snuneymuxw territory– Grad. Dip Inclusive Education
2024 – April 2025
Vancouver Island University, Snuneymuxw territory – MEd. Special Education
2025 – April 2026 (anticipated completion)
Graduate Diploma in Inclusive Education with coursework focused on evidence based language acquisition, literacy and numeracy instruction, and best practices for teaching marginalised students. Laddering into an MEd in special education with a project focus on language acquisition and literacy and Indigenous approaches.
University of Northern British Columbia, Tsimshian Territory – Bachelor of Education
2021 – 2023
Elementary focused BEd with coursework in pedagogical theory, inclusion, Indigenous education, and curriculum.
Dalhousie University, Mi’kma’ki – Bachelor of Arts in Music and Psychology
2013-2017
Education completed with combined honours in music and psychology and coursework in music education, child development, childhood psychopathology, creative writing, gender studies, and French language.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Mental Health First Aid
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
- Mandt, NVCI, and ATR crisis intervention
- Narcan/Naloxone trainer
- DELF B2 French Fluency certification
- Red Cross lifeguard and swim instructor certifications
- High 5 Sport certification
- Professional development in science of reading, additional language acquisition, Indigenous approaches to physical literacy, and trauma informed pedagogies